Reading
SAA Notes
Consider the description of Nineveh in 3:1 – the City of Blood! The ancient Assyrians practiced terror and torture as instruments of government over its subject peoples. Rather than objecting to God’s strong language, we should take heart that such barbaric doings get Him angry!
SJA Notes
* Holy God, please show us wisdom from Your word today.
“And all who look at you will shrink from you and say, ‘Wasted is Ninevah; who will grieve for her?’ Where shall I seek comforters for you?”
Ninevah was a great city of the mighty Assyrian empire.
The same nation that God used to bring His judgement on Israel, laying waste to the northern kingdoms.
Importantly the same city that God had worked a great revival over a century previously through the preaching of the prophet Jonah (three days in a big fish).
From the king on down through all the city, they repented in sackcloth and ashes at the word of God preached to them.
Yet within a hundred years the city of Ninevah, and the Assyrian nation, had brought God’s judgement upon themselves.
This shows a deep truth that we must wrestle with.
You are not saved because of someone else’s faith. Even such a revival as was experienced in Ninevah did not mean salvation automatically followed in successive generations.
We serve a God who has a personal relationship with each of us!
We serve a King who took on the burden of each of our sinful hearts!
We serve a Shepherd who knows each of us, His Spirit in each of us His people, growing us.
We cannot be saved because of someone else’s faith.
We are saved only through Jesus, each of us, knowing Him as Lord and Saviour – Trusting in and obeying our risen King.
We must, each of us, be born again!
* Dear Lord God,
Thank You that we rely on You, and nobody else, for our salvation – You the gracious and merciful God!
Thank You for saving us Lord God.
Please write Your word upon our hearts today.
Amen.